Rice has a number of health benefits, which are often overlooked. When we think about rice the first thing that comes to our mind is that it is loaded with carbohydrates. But rice is not just carbohydrates; it is an essential source of vitamin B1 too. It can provide fast and instant energy, normalize and improve bowel movements, and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Ask any body builder and he would recommend eating rice over wheat-based rotis. This is because rice can increase the metabolism and help digestion.

It can also give a boost to your skin health, aid weight loss, reduce high blood pressure, improve the immune system and provide protection against cardiovascular diseases, cancer and dysentery.

Rice is inexpensive and is a staple diet in many counties. There are 40,000 varieties of rice available throughout the world. The two main categories are white rice and whole grain rice.

Here are some of the nutrition facts and health benefits of rice.

Great source of energy: Carbohydrates acts as a fuel for the body, and rice is rich in carbohydrates. It aids in the normal functioning of the brain.

Cholesterol free: Rice is devoid of cholesterol, harmful fats, or sodium. It forms an integral part of a balanced diet. It also helps reduce obesity and is one of the most widely eaten foods in the world.

Blood pressure management: It is low in sodium and can lower blood pressure. Sodium can cause veins and arteries to tighten, increasing the stress and strain on the cardiovascular system as the blood pressure increases. It can lead to heart attacks, and strokes.

Cancer prevention: To prevent cancer, eat brown rice or wholegrain rice. They are rich in insoluble fibre that can guard against different types of cancer, especially intestinal cancer. Besides fibre, rice also has natural antioxidants like flavonoid compounds, vitamin C, phenolic and vitamin-A.

Skin care: Research shows that powdered rice can cure certain skin ailments. It has anti-inflammatory properties, so it is also good for redness and any type of skin irritation. To reduce wrinkles and other premature signs of ageing, make rice a daily part of your diet. This is because rice is rich in antioxidants and can give a beauty boost to your skin.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Brown rice contains nutrients in high level that aids the growth of neuro-protective enzymes in the brain and helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Diuretic and digestive qualities: Rice significantly improves appetite, and lessens all problems related to the digestive system. Rice husk, being a diuretic, can help eliminate toxins from the body, and even aid weight loss. It increases bowel movement regularity as it is rich in fibre content and guards against various types of cancer.

Rich in vitamins: It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, niacin, fibre, calcium, iron, riboflavin and thiamine. These vitamins are essential to prevent diseases and boost our immune system. They are also essential for body metabolism, and general functioning of the organ systems.

In many ways the saying by Hippocrates is true today: “Let thy food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food.”This principle can be applied to your eye health. No vision improvement program is complete without the proper nutritional foundation to support better eye health. So, if your taste buds are craving a break from traditional foods good for eyes, here are some foods you never knew that can improve and promote better eyesight.

Beets: When it comes to eye health foods, Beets are good for your eyes as they consist of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, beneficial nutrients that promote the health of the macular and the retina of the eyes. Due to its content in Nitrates, Beets can open up the blood vessels in the eyes and also increase the blood flow to the brain, a good way to prevent cognitive disorders. More importantly, this vegetable is popular for its blood pressure lowering properties. This is significant due to the fact that there is a connection between normal blood pressure and better eyesight, as high blood pressure has a negative impact on eye health.

According to Troy Bedinghaus, O.D of about.com, “Hypertensive Retinopathy is a disease of the retina and the retinal blood vessels that occurs because of uncontrolled blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure makes the retinal blood vessels become narrow and leak fluid. The retina can be starved for Oxygen or the retina can begin to take on fluid. These changes can reduce vision.”

According to a study published by both the British Heart Foundation and the Journal of the American Heart Association, participants that drank a cup of Beet Juice a day saw a 7 percent reduction in their blood pressure. Therefore, Beet Juice can lower blood pressure while simultaneously promoting better eyesight. Beets also consist of Vitamin A, B 1, B 2, B 6, and C in addition to Lutein and Zeaxanthin, important vitamins and antioxidants that aid in the prevention of Macular Degeneration and Cataracts.

Tuna: Another food for eye health is Tuna. According to Web MD, eating Tuna may reduce the risk of developing Dry eye Syndrome particularly in women. A woman’s health study involving 40,000 female professionals from ages 45-84, conducted by a woman’s hospital researcher, revealed that women who ate Tuna had a lower incidence of Dry Eye Syndrome. Scientific data suggests also that the Omega- 3 Fatty acid content in Tuna may have been a contributing factor. The study revealed that the women who consumed 2-4 servings of tuna per week had a 19% lower risk of Dry Eye Syndrome while those who ate 5-6 servings of Tuna reported a 68% lower risk of dry eye syndrome.

Pomegranates: Among the foods good for eye health Pomegranates is an example of such a food.This fruit is essential for eye health due to its Vitamin A content which is a form of Beta- Carotene. Pomegranates are also a cure for night blindness. It’s highly beneficial to eye health due to the fact that is consists of a substance called Rhodopsin in the eyes that improves eyesight. Pomegranates have a high concentration of Polyphenols, powerful antioxidants good for eyes such as Vitamin A, C, E and K. These antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body and clinical research suggests that they increase blood flow to the heart and thin the blood which contributes to reduced blood pressure and plaque in the arteries. You can have Pomegranate fruit as a morning treat, afternoon snack, and late night treat, or you can buy the Pomegranate juice available at your neighborhood supermarket.

Nutrition is an integral part of promoting eye health. Super foods such as Pomegranates, Beets and Tuna supply the eyes with a wide variety of essential antioxidants and vitamins. These foods are important nutritional allies. They help us build a better foundation for healthier eyesight and also prevent vision disorders. Therefore, when it comes to protecting eyesight, take care of your eyes with the right nutrition, and according to Hippocrates, let your food be powerful nutritional medicine for your eyes.

You must have heard about home health care services, but many people don’t know how it works and what are its benefits. If you have an elderly family member who requires regular monitoring, health care and personal care support, it is time you consider getting senior home care services. Here are some of the main reasons you cannot ignore such in-home services for your loved one.

The first reason for hiring senior home care services is that it will help reduce the anxiety and stress that your loved one is suffering from. You don’t want to have your senior family member transferred to a nursing home or an out-of-home care center. It can be a highly stressful situation for him/her. In fact, any such move can further deteriorate his/her health condition and create even more complicated medical issues. When the person receives care within the comfort of his/her home, you will be offsetting any such stress. He/she will be able to enjoy his time with more independence and higher quality of life.

The second reason for getting home health care services is that the care you receive is personalised according to the needs of the person. If you visit a nursing home or a hospital, the level of care and support provided is the same for everyone. However, the care provided in your home will be customised based on the needs of your family member. You will be able to provide personalised care to your loved from a professional who is dedicated solely to fulfill the needs of your family member.

The third reason for choosing senior home care services is that in-home care is much more cost-effective compared to out-of-home care services. You will be able to provide special personal and health care to your loved one from the comfort of their home without the need to pay off huge bills. If you choose an alternative out-of-home solution, the bills could eat up both your loved one’s and your own savings. However, in-home elderly care services could be hired for just a tiny fraction of the overall cost of the alternatives. It can help you and your family a fortune in terms of different kinds of bills.

There are many more reasons for hiring home health care services. Such a service gives you the opportunity to give a high quality life when they don’t have many years in their hands. You don’t want them to find themselves alone in an out-of-home care facility without their family around them. Providing them with in-home care will give them the chance to get all the care and love while they live amid their loved ones.

Once you have made the decision to get the services of a senior home care service provider, you should start searching for a reputable agency. Besides the agency, it is also important to learn about the experience and the personality of the care provider. You would eventually want your loved one to spend his/her time in the company of a good human being.